rm a death-watch;
Because, like a watch, it always cries click;
Then woe be to those in the house who are sick;
For sure as a gun they will give up the ghost
If the maggat cries click when it scratches the post.

Gay, too, in a _pastoral dirge_, says,

The wether's bell,
Before the drooping flock, toll'd forth her knell;
The solemn deathwatch click'd the hour she died.

* * * * *

FINE ARTS

* * * * *

METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.

_Abridged from the "Introduction" to Britton's Picture of London, 26th
edition, just published._

_The year_ 1825 will ever be memorable in the annals of the
metropolis; for more novel improvements, changes, and events occurred in
that one year than during any other corresponding period. _Schemes_
for the formation of new _Companies_--the vast speculations arising
out of them, tending to the aggrandizement of a few persons, and to the
ruin of others, with the utilities of some, and the futilities and
impositions of many,--may also be said to belong to this year.

Let us, however, take a brief review of the real improvements and useful
novelties that have been progressing, or have commenced in London since
that singular and eventful era. Commencing at the court, or west end, we
will take an imaginary tour to the east, adverting to such new buildings
as are calculated to arrest the attention of the stranger in our
progress. Without remarking on the general improvements of the age, we
shall find enough to engross our attention in the particular objects
before us. The most noted, or conspicuous of these are:--1. The New
Palace, with the adjoining Park and Gardens. 2. A Terrace, Street, and
Public Buildings on the site of Carlton House. 3. Belgrave Square, and
the adjoining Squares and Streets. 4. The Entrance Lodges and Bridge
in Hyde Park, with the improvements in the Roads and Walks of the same.
5. The Regent's Park, with its Terraces, Villas, Public Buildings,
Zoological Gardens, and Colosseum. 6. The London University. 7. The
British Museum. 8. The Post Office. 9. London Bridge, and its Vicinity.
10. St. Katherine's Docks. 11. The New Buildings and Alterations
connected with the Houses of Parliament, the Ministerial Offices, and
others, at Charing Cross. All these rank among the novelties and
embellish